Corrupted files, how to do erase and install?

I recently purchased an iPhone 4 which had issues syncing video to iPhoto and in the process seems to have corrupted my iMac. Everything is running incredibly slow and despite multiple permission repairs, PRAM resets and restarts the issues persist.
It got the point where I tried a library rebuild on the iPhoto which seemed to repair many of the issues, but general lag through the whole system persisted. I followed with a rebuild on the iTunes library but the slowness is still there.
I had an appt down at the genius bar and they ran full diagnostic showing that the hardware on the iMac was sound but they saw the issue and recognized that it was beyond acceptable.
It was suggested that I try an archive and install that I did yesterday. That took about 6 hours and doesn't seem to have fixed anything. iTunes is still running moderately slow and although iPhoto is fine, Safari is non responsive and merely clicking on the apple menu takes 4 min to open.
I have looked for anything unusual in the activity monitor and nothing stands out. I am out of ideas and looking at a full fresh install.
Questions -
I can't access Time Machine right now from my iMac and when I try to access it from my powerbook by clicking on the sparse bundle file in my external drive, I get a "barber shop bar" scrolling forever while "checking volumes". I just want to make sure I am backed up before I pull the trigger. Is this the only way to see my time machine volume for my iMac? I tried the ctrl click on time machine but he drive doesn't show up.
How can I do a fresh install on Snow Leopard, it didn't give me any options. Do I access it through the utilities?
How easy can I recover all my files from Time Machine once the update is done? I have never had to access before and being able to just drag and drop would be great.
If there are corrupt files that are causing this meltdown, how will I ensure I don't just reimport them when I have loaded the fresh OS?
Sorry for all the typing, pretty frustrated. Still don't have a solution for the original problem. Just trying to dig out of all the issues that have arisen.

Mukti,
did you try to install Mavericks, or did you only download its installer without running it? Which version of OS X is currently installed on your MacBook Pro? Do you still have the two grey installation DVDs which originally came in the box with your MacBook Pro? Do you have backups of the files on your MacBook Pro from before you downloaded the Mavericks installer?

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How do I erase and install iMac to factory settings using Install disk?

Once in a while I like to do an erase and install to boost performance and get rid of extra unused files/applications on my computer that are inevitably slowing things down. I have already tried disk repair and that isn't helping.
The problem is now that Lion/Mountain Lion no longer support PowerPC applications, I can't figure out how to use the Install Disk that came with my computer. My computer came with 10.4 (Tiger). I have been unable to erase and restore my computer to it's original factory settings.
I have read a bunch of threads that say to hold down the "C" key, but nothing happens when I do this. The computer just starts up like normal.
The reason I want to do this is because my computer is going slower and slower all the time. I have the "Free Memory" app and I can see my memory decreasing slowly day by day. It goes from about 3GB to less than 1GB in a few days. If I restart, I'm back up to 3GB again.

You had to use Snow Leopard to install Lion or Mountain Lion, so you can downgrade to Snow Leopard:
Downgrade Lion/Mountain Lion to Snow Leopard
1. Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.
This will erase the whole drive so be sure to backup your files if you don't have a backup already. If you have performed a TM backup using Lion be aware that you cannot restore from that backup in Snow Leopard (see below.) I suggest you make a separate backup using Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.1.
If you have Snow Leopard Time Machine backups, do a full system restore per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions. If you have subsequent backups from Lion, you can restore newer items selectively, via the "Star Wars" display, per #15 there, but be careful; some Snow Leopard apps may not work with the Lion files.
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.

How do I erase and install a new copy of Mt Lion on a Mac Mini that has Mt Lion installed by previous owner?

Wish I could have phrased the question better, but here's what I need to know: I traded an older iPad for a Mac Mini. I made the trade with my daughter who, after transferring everything to her iMac, handed me over the Mac Mini with all her files, and OS X Mt Lion still installed. So now I'm ready to erase the Mac Mini's HD and install my own new copy of Mt Lion onto it. Back in the "old days" of physical media I would have no problem with this, but now that I have to download and install Mt Lion from the Mac App store, I'm wondering how to do this (easily?).

If you have already purchased Mountain Lion form teh Mac App Store, then you can boot the Mac Mini to its recovery partition and select to re-partition the disk and re-install from teh internet. It will check to see if the Mac Mini is qualified for Mountain Lion (default for a new Mac Mini), and if it isn't, then it will ask you for the Mac App Store ID that was used to purchase Mountain Lion. You enter your ID here, and it will verify that you have purchased it, and all will be well. If you haven't purchased it yet, the easiest thing to do is to borrow your daughter's iMac, and sign into the Mac App Store with your ID and purchse Mountain Lion, then use the above steps.

How can I erase and install the most recent Mac OS X?

I have bought a new iMac and want to give my old iMac to a friend.
Before I give it to them, I want to erase to old iMac HD and re-install Mac OS. However, it defaults back to the Maverick OS. My slow internet means it will take hours to download and then I would have to run upgrades in the AppStore and take more hours to download Yosemite and then more cycles of incremental upgrades... :-/
How do I get my old iMac to simply install a fresh version of the latest Mac OS?
I have saved a copy of the install file of Yosemite when I updated my new iMac because of my slow internet connection but I don't know if it truly gives a full fresh installation of everything, so I didn't try it.
Cheers,
Neil

Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, when you reach step 5, insert its original disk, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.
You can't sell it while it has an OS more recent than the newer of the computer's original one or 10.6.8 installed on it.
(121297)

Restore after Erase and Install

Depending on the answer I get to another question, I might have to erase and reinstall system 10.3 on my ancient Yosemite.
I have already backed up my entire HD to an external drive using third-party backup software. Presumably the backup softare itself has been backed up.
How do I restore my user settings, Entourage email files, other files, etc. after the erase and install?
I have run into trouble in the past with reinstalls and don't want to go thru that again.

These are personal choices only you can make.
You say you have two places from which to get a working copy of your 10.3 software:
Choice #1) Erase and install 10.3 from scratch using Apple tools:
This will give you a positively excellent version of your 10.3 software. But will return you to a completely "factory fresh" version with NONE of your personal files at all.
Choice #2) Use the Restore function in your Backup software:
This will return all the files on your Mac to the moment of your Backup, and re-install all personal files along with anything troublesome that had already happened by the time you made your Backup.
Provided that it works as intended, which is not guaranteed.
Choice #3) Combined approach:
1) Erase and Install the System Files with Apple Tools;
2) then recreate your Users (and their passwords) in System Preferences > Accounts;
3) use your Backup software to restore the "Users" directory structure, which contains all Users files including email and preferences (except the Account specification and password itself).
Provided that it works as intended, which is not guaranteed.
It is possible that despite your best intentions, certain files have not been backed up. Files that come to mind are Address Books, on which the system tends to restrict permissions so that they are difficult to hack and difficult to copy. Keychains may similarly be difficult to backup and restore.

How to bring in back up files/apps after erase and install? Thanks!

Don't let the first post fool you - new account, long time user; old account login details lost in a keychain somewhere...
Preparing for Leopard I had a good clean out and got to 21gb of free space on my 40gb HD.
Backed up files to Firewire AND USB external drives.
I tried an upgrade installation of Leopard.
Got the blue screen, tried the APE fixes.
Couldn't do an archive and install as the message said there wasn't enough space.
9gb plus 9gb = 21gb+ I guess....!
(Even tried a Terminal removal of some iTunes files, which I knew I had a back up of, but no luck increasing available space.)
So, did and erase and install which worked fine.
But now I am having trouble importing settings from the old files.
Mail for example wants me to start from scratch, and won't see the back ups I made.
I realize each application has library files, plists and other files associations - how to I get the virgin Leopard versions to recognize their older cousins?
Migration Assistant doesn't seem to see external drives except for Time Machine which of course has nothing I want...
How also to import 3rd party apps. with their previous associations and settings?
Hope I don't have to start from scratch...
Thanks so much in advance.
Stephen

You can't just replace the user folder with the one from before the 10.5 install. What you have to do is individually drag the items from each folder ie "Music" to their corresponding folders in the new home folder.
Put the Backup "Documents" files to New "Document" folder
Mail is located in username/Library/Mail and possibly also username/Library/Mail Downloads, drag both these to the new walts "Library".
Bookmarks is located in username/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plst, once you find this go to the File Menu in Safari and go to "Import Bookmarks."
I would not recommend copying any settings from the backup to 10.5, this causes errors sometimes. These settings are also easily redone. If you must have them spotlight them or search for them in the preferences or Library/Application Support. Applications Mail settings can also be easily reconfigured for example.

How to erase and install new os

Hello All,
I want to do an erase and install on my computer and then upgrade the operating system to Mavericks.
I purchased a new external harddrive where I will backup my files, music, pictures, etc prior to the erase.
I have the original hard disc copy of my operating system when I purchased the computer. I also have all of the software discs to reinstall them.
I have a couple of concerns/questions - We have 4 ipods in the house and an ipad...what will happen when we resync them? Will iTunes think it is assigned to another account and cause me issues?
Also, 3 of us a currently using the computer as 1 user. How do I set up the computer for 3 users? Would we have separate iTunes accounts, iPhoto accounts, etc by having 3 users instead on1?
I need help.
Thanks,
Robert

Boot from the 10.6.X upgrade disc you have, erase the HD using Disk Utility. Next download and install the 10.6.8 update combo and install it. Next run and install all suggested updates from Software Update. Finally open the Mac App Store, download and install Mavericks.

Erase and install Leopard - how do I get my iWeb pages back?

Because of an issue with Photoshop CS3 I had to "erase and install" Leopard. I did backup all my files except the iWeb site... the site is still online but I can not see the pages anymore in iWeb. Does anyone know how to fix this?

iWeb does not have an "import" function whereby your published HTML could be used to rebuild your site.
The best you could do is manually retrieve your site's "content" (images, text, mp3s, etc.) from its published location. If you published to .Mac, your site's content will be on your iDisk -- accessed via the Finder > Go > iDisk > My iDisk > Web > Sites > ...
If you published elsewhere, your site's content may be accessible (downloadable) via your FTP program.
You can also display your site in a web browser and drag & drop images from there to your Desktop. Also in Safari, for example, you can do View > View Source to see your text and perhaps copy & paste it.

Erased and installed - How do I get to my back up?

Had some problems with my mac and, after discussing with AppleCare, was advised to do an Archive and Install. Did this, and it made things worse (don't ask me why, cause I don't know and neither did the AppleCare guys). So, AppleCare then advised that I erase and install, do a software update and then restore my backed up stuff (photos, files, emails, etc, etc). They specifically said not to copy the whole backed up account over because I might transfer whatever was causing the initial problems. The thing is, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do this?? I've got a TimeCapsule acting as my router and backup. Before I blew things away, the TimeCapsule was set-up via TimeMachine. I naively thought that I would just be able to go back into TM and reconnect to my TC. TM can see the TC when I select choose backup disk, but I am worried that it will wipe out the backup if I select "Use for backup" i.e. It backs up the newly reinstalled stuff. I've looked at migration assistant, but this looks like it will only copy over Apps, Files and Library settings and not let me grab the things I want. Hoping that someone can help ?

shelfkit wrote:
but I am worried that it will wipe out the backup if I select "Use for backup" i.e. It backs up the newly reinstalled stuff.
Yes, TM's next backup will back-up all the newly reinstalled stuff (so don't turn it on until you've got your Mac back the way you want it), but it won't wipe out anything, unless it runs out of room and has to delete your oldest backups to make room for the new one.
I've looked at migration assistant, but this looks like it will only copy over Apps, Files and Library settings and not let me grab the things I want.
Migration Assistant lets you "migrate" anything except your top-level System and Library folders. What other things do you want?
You can also use TM to restore any selected files/folders from your backups.
You can choose any or all of User accounts, Applications, etc. What else do you want?

I saved my "users" folder to an external HD. I did erase and install on my imac. Now how do i get the accounts to open up on the fresh installation?

I saved my "users" folder to an external HD. I did erase and install on my imac. Now how do i get the accounts to open up on the fresh installation?

To move a home folder, create a new home folder, copy the contents of the old home folder into the new home folder, and then delete the old home folder. Take a look at this link, http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/UserMgmt_v10.6.pdf

I had iPhoto as part of iLife 11. I recently did an erase and install on my Macbook Air and without a CD drive I'm unable to reinstall. How can I install without having to repurchase all of the apps?

I had iPhoto as part of iLife 11. I recently did an erase and install on my Macbook Air and without a CD drive I'm unable to reinstall. How can I install without having to repurchase all of the apps?

Do you have access to another Mac with a disk drive? If so you can do it in one of two ways:
1 - on the Mac with the optical drive launch Disk Utility and make a disk image of the iLife 11 disk. Connect the two Macs together and transfer the disk image to your MacBook Air. Mount the disk image and install from it. I have my iLife disks saved that way for quick and easy reinstall when necessary.
2 - connect the two Mac together so you can access the MBA from the Mac with the disk drive. Insert the iLife disk, and install from the second Mac to the MBA.

Restore files from last Time Machine backup after HD erase and install

I just had to do an "erase and install" ... trying to restore files from my last Time Machine backup but after completing the Airport Utility setup / configure steps, it says "waiting to restart" for a few minutes and then says it cannot find TIme Capsule after restart (though TC never restarted). I'm pretty desperate to get my files back as it's Sunday night and my business needs to be up and running by morning. Any help would be greatly appreciated ... even if it's saying I need to take TC into a Mac store to have them retrieve my files.

While in Time Machine, press the key combination shift-command-C. The front window will show all mounted volumes. All snapshots should now be accessible. Select the one you want and navigate to the files you want to restore.

How to erase and install new version os Mac Os X?

Can someone tell me how to erase and install new copy of Mac OS X 10.5.8 ?? IS there a way to do this without CD?? I no longer have the disks and I cant find a way to get this done.. The reason I want to do this is because a 12 year old was using this computer for a long time and there is a lot of junk stuff on the disk, so I want to start from fresh.
Thank you in advance.
Yani.

Hi Yani,
Your out of luck without an Install Disc, & on dangerous ground also.
2 ways to go...
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
   2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
      *Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
   3. Click the Erase tab.
   4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
   5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
   6. Highlight the drive, select Partition Tab, then Format type... MacOS Extended Journalled, select the Security Options button, choose Zero Out Data, Erase... after completion do a new install.
Or...
Open System Preferences>Accounts, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.
In the same pref pane highlight your old account, click the little minus icon, then use Disk Utility to Secure Erase Free Space.

Just done the 'Erase and Install', I can't find the Hard Drive I backed up my files on?

I have just done the 'Erase and Install' process, but before I did, I backed up my files to an External Hard Drive using Time Machine. I have now restored my Mac and gone through the Erase and Install process, but now, when I plug in my external hard drive, I cant find it anywhere? I've tried quite a few things, but no luck! Also, what has happened to iMovie and iPhoto and all those Applications?! They have dissapeared!

GeorgeRollo wrote:
I have just done the 'Erase and Install' process, but before I did, I backed up my files to an External Hard Drive using Time Machine.
That should mean that all of your data on the MBP is backed up to an external HDD.
- Yes, should be. But when I plug it in the Mac, no menu or pop up comes up. Showing what to do next.
I have now restored my Mac and gone through the Erase and Install process, but now, when I plug in my external hard drive,
If you restored your internal drive with Time Machine, did you then ERASE and install? What did you erase and what were you installing? What is on the external HDD that has the Time Machine backup on it?
- I talked to the Customer Support and they said just erase the Startup Disk or something? So I did. Because I basically just wanted to restore my Mac.
I cant find it anywhere?
What is it?
- The External Hard Drive when I plug it in.
I've tried quite a few things, but no luck!
What are 'quite a few things'?
- Things that I have researched like going into 'Finder' then going into 'Preferences', 'General', then ticking 'Hard Drive' under the option of 'Show these items on the desktop:'
what has happened to iMovie and iPhoto and all those Applications?! They have dissapeared!
I would think that they should be on the Time Machine backup (assuming the external HDD has not been erased) if not the internal HDD.
- Hopefully if I can figure out this.

How much HDD space should Leopard consume on an "erase and install" install

I installed Leopard into my 17 In MacBook Pro and the 92 Gig HDD is now half full and I only have about 14 gig of music on the HDD.
I would figure the OS take about 14 to 18 gig max, so my question is, did the installed keep the old stuff and if so how do I reclaim the HDD space back.
Hope someone and point me in te right direction
Thanks
Newport Tom

If you did an Erase and Install then nothing should be on the drive except what you installed. You might try this:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, and 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.1 for Leopard) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

Corrupted files, how to do erase and install?

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